It seems Salem has switched from channel 1 (460.47500) to channel 3 (460.07500) for main dispatch. And are now using channel 1 as the talkaround / records channel. Today is the second day in a row I have noticed this. I'll continue monitoring. Taking the SPD feed offline until I can get more info as channel 3 is marked as "tactical" and now there is no traffic on channel 1.

I think they are narrowband already. They are licensed for it on their freqs in the fcc db. And it comes in loud clear on my radio set as narrowband. - Maybe they are getting a repeater upgrade or something though. Their system is a bit old.

Actually, doing a test just now, I put channel 3 in as both wide and narrow, and the wide one doesn't sound as muffled, but it's quieter. Not sure if this changes things- Salem has always seemed more muffled to me in general.

So if all the normal dispatch traffic is on channel 3, and channel 3 is listed (in the RR database) as tactical even though it appears they have swapped the two channels, do this still mean it cannot be streamed?

They are actually now referring to channel 3 as channel 13. And I heard a dispatcher tell an officer "we are now using channel thirteen as our main channel." They are still using and referring to channel 1 as a secondary channel.

They are actually now referring to channel 3 as channel 13. And I heard a dispatcher tell an officer "we are now using channel thirteen as our main channel." They are still using and referring to channel 1 as a secondary channel.

As far as I know they have just three. The main dispatch channel, the secondary channel used for records on friday and saturday nights as well as sometimes used for more sensitive info. And a third channel that is simplex used for SWAT, and things like moto escorts and whatnot..

Earlier in January, the Salem "Statesman-Journal" newspaper published an article about Salem Police Department having received a six-month extension from the FCC to the narrowbanding requirement. A report had been prepared for city council information describing the problems experienced after switching to narrowband, including interference and units not being able to hear other units. The newspaper article quoted someone from the city stating that they plan to switch to a digital system and will need to replace the radios anyway after having purchased some new units for the narrowband requirement.

Both the report for the city council and the newspaper article are attached.

So, are they planning to remain on UHF and go digital or switch to 800 and go digital? Sounds like an expensive project regardless from the city that has closed two fire stations due to budget problems.

This is the first I have heard of Salem looking at Digital. I don't see how they are going to afford to do it, but I would assume 700mhz since that seems to be the way everyone is going. Hopefully not encrypted..

Seems I had read somewhere (likely a post someone made in one of the newsgroups or maybe even in this forum) that NorCom planned to eventually use NexEdge digital. Perhaps someone can confirm if they posted that information or correct if it is wrong or NorCom plans on using some other type. Interesting what you can pick up that may affect our listening ability through online reading of newspapers on the coast or in the valley.

I hope they don't spend too much money. Countywide consolidation in Marion County could be in the future. Also.. WVCC 911 starts dispatching for LINCOM (Lincoln County -Newport) in mid-March.

Marion County efforts;
12/20112 "The drafted proposal was reviewed and has been finalized; distribution has been made to all of the involved agencies for their review and input by Sunday, December 30, to Undersheriff Clausen for further discernment and review. Marion County will then go through the process of distributing the RFP for vendor bid. OEM has released a 36-page legislative concept;."